energy technology list: discovery phase report · we undertook a five-week discovery project to...

Energy Technology List: discovery phaseDiscovery reportSeptember 2019

Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, Unboxed

Executive summary

Unboxed / BEIS

We undertook a five-week discovery project to understand what are the main user needs around the ETL. Across the duration of the project, we spoke to 26 people from a cross-section of industries and roles involved in the specification, purchase and use of products for non-domestic use. Some had previously used the ETL and some hadn’t. The three key things we learned were that the user experience of the current ETL is quite poor for those who do use it, there is low awareness of the ETL and also there is a lot of complexity around the different people involved in purchasing and decision making when it comes to buying products.

Our recommendations are that initially the user experience of the current website could be improved with some work to the journey and content. We would recommend then undertaking some marketing activity to help raise awareness, as well as building relationships and partnerships with key organisations. Finally we recommend undertaking further research into some key areas to ensure that user needs are met more broadly.

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Overview of recommendations

Meet new user needsImproved ETL user experience Encourage uptake and refresh delivery

These are explored in more detail in the deck

Alpha Policy improvement Further research

● Refreshing the design○ Improve search functionality○ Enable product comparisons○ Improve flow of user journey○ Consider consistency and style of

visual design

● Overhaul of content and hierarchy○ Include content for business cases○ Create content to appeal to a range

of technical levels○ Create a content hierarchy

● Move to a single platform○ Create a consistent user journey by

moving content to one platform

● An exploration into creating an API of data included in the ETL

● Building awareness○ Undertake marketing activities○ Create news and events○ Work closely with relevant user

groups○ Establish partnerships and

connections with relevant bodies

● Connect to policy○ Identify existing policies the ETL

could support or work in partnership with

○ Use relationships with user groups and bodies to initiate new policies

● Meeting some user needs will be improved by undertaking the first two areas of work, but further user needs and a wider range of user segments may be met through further research into other areas including:

○ Research into commissioners’ motivations and drivers

○ Research into facilitating networking between user groups

○ Research into widening the types of products (and services) listed on the ETL

Context

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ProblemWhat is the context of the project and why something needs to be done.

The Energy Technology List (ETL) was created to support the Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme for helping businesses to invest in energy-saving products and equipment.

It currently only reaches a relatively small amount of people involved in purchasing of plant and equipment, and to have real impact it was important to understand the wider context in which the ETL sits to consider how it could add value in the future.

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Current vs. future purpose

A tool for companies to

claim back tax on energy efficient

purchases

Current purpose Future purpose

A digital platform that drives and facilitates

energy-efficient decisions and behaviour across

businesses and the public sector, including the

construction, refurbishment and industrial sector

User segmentation

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Manufacturers

4Contractors

2Energy

managers

2

Building managers

3Specifiers

6

Commissioners

0Tax advisors

2

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26Total participants

User research participantsDuring this discovery, the team spoke to 26 participants:

3Membership

bodies

4Internal

stakeholders

Personas and user groupsWe spoke to a range of people who

currently do and don’t use the ETL, and

seven main user groups involved in the purchase and use of energy efficient equipment have emerged as a result of primary research.

Personas have been created to represent each group, based on user research, helping to communicate their individual situations and needs.

They are representative of people across a number of different roles in a range of different organisations and businesses.

Unboxed / BEIS Manufacturers

Specifiers

Contractors

Facilities managers

Product users

Energy managers

Commissioners

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Sectors users may come from include:

Services

Retail

Construction

Industrial

Transport

The types of people we spoke to had job roles including area manager or sales representative.

They are responsible for building networks with specifiers, contractors and product users, informing them of product developments, making sales and helping with maintenance and upgrades of their products.

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Personas and user groups

Manufacturers

Gary, Sales Manager

“Companies who buy our products are more focussed on sustainability than cost.

They know our product has a better lifespan and better performance, so it’s worth their

while to spend a bit more upfront.” —Manufacturer

“People purchase based on recommendation, it’s all about building

relationships.” — Manufacturer

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As a manufacturer, I need to sell my products, so that I can continue to operate my business.

OpportunitiesWhat they say User needs

As a manufacturer, I need to be at the front-of-mind for specifiers and contractors, so that they are aware of my products.

As a manufacturer, I would like an independent verification of my product’s value, so that this can support my customers buying decisions.

Showcase their top of the range products

Help building a network with specifiers and contractors

A competitive edge over their competitors

“We preach the BS EN 15232 standard - it defines minimum requirements for controls and building automation. If everyone used this we could solve the carbon crisis.” —

Manufacturer


Manufacturers

The people interviewed who specified equipment had job roles including energy consultant, lighting consultant or architect.

These roles are mainly focussed on specifying the most-appropriate equipment and the energy efficiency, rather than cost. They often work with the client to understand their needs to ensure that they get the most-appropriate design for how the space will be used.

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Specifiers

Lisa, Energy Consultant

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As a specifier, I need to stay up-to-date with the latest energy-efficient technology, so that I can make informed decisions.


As a specifier, I need to be able to compare products on relevant metrics so that I can choose the right products for the project.

As a specifier, I would like to ensure that I’ve specified the right products, so that I know I’ve done a good job.

Keeping them up-to-date with new developments and products

Access to information that allows them to compare products and identify best for their needs

Provide reliable, independent information on products

“My greatest fear is not noticing newest products coming to market. Younger

engineers will ask me what I recommend, but it’s important to keep an open mind. I

like reading industry journals and magazines to see what other people are

doing.” — Consultant

“We research products ourselves and then either recommend the one we think is best

or the top three for the client to choose

from.” — Consultant

“Professional pride is a motivator to use the

best kit.” — Consultant


Specifiers


Contractors

Individuals interviewed include those who work for contracting firm, including an engineer.

One of their main goals is to get the job delivered to budget, and to ensure that the project is profitable for their firm. One of the ways they do this by finding more-economic versions of the equipment specified.

Contractors often directly purchase equipment.

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Jo, Engineering

Manager

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As a contractor, I need to build in a profit margin on the purchase of energy-efficient products, so that I can continue operate my business.


As a contractor, I need to know what energy-efficient products are good value for my projects, so that I can make informed decisions.

As a contractor, I want to know good manufacturers, so that I can get good products at a good price.

Help to find competitively-priced products

Ways to stay on top of developments and the latest in technology

Ways to build connections with manufacturers

“Manufacturers come in once a year or so to our office and tell us about their newest

stuff and how it works. It definitely helps put their products front of mind when I’m

looking to buy something. I also get CPD

points for attending the session.” —Contractor

“When we put together a tender, we go out to suppliers and sub-contractors to ask for

quotes, we’re really looking for who can offer us the lowest price. We need to find ways to squeeze a profit margin out of our

budget.” — Contractor

“If I’ve worked with a supplier before and know that they did a good job, I’m likely to

go back to them again in the future.” —Contractor


Contractors

In-house facilities managers have been engaged, including those who worked in an agency to provider facilities management.

Their main focus is ensuring that equipment is easy to maintain, and that it functions in accordance to the criteria of people using the building. For some, energy efficiency was an obvious part of that, for others, it wasn’t a concern.

Facilities managers often directly purchase equipment.

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Facilities managers

Chris, Facilities Manager

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As a facilities manager, I need to understand the life cycle and payback period of the equipment installed, so that I can understand the financial benefit.


As a facilities manager, I need to measure the performance of plan equipment, so that I can monitor energy and financial performance.

As a facilities manager, I want to I’ll be able to get training and support for any product I purchase so that I know I can maintain it easily.

Help make energy efficient decisions business friendly decisions by providing information relevant to a business case

Expand the ETL to include Building Management Systems (BMS)

Connect facilities managers to manufacturers for training and technical support

“Energy efficiency is just second nature to us. It’s just part and parcel of what we do.”

— Facilities manager

“I did a training course provided by a manufacturer that extended the warranty

period by 5 years.”


“The BMS means we can control and set timings for lighting and heating to come on

and off when rooms are in use.”



Facilities managers

Product users include tenants of an office or staff of the business. This is where we think the performance gap comes in —current behaviour is not currently driven by trying to be energy-efficient, but likely by costs and productivity.

Product users are not generally involved in the purchase of equipment however, so any influence of their behaviour needs to be through tools other than the ETL and policies.

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Product users

Norma, Office Manager

Unboxed / BEIS

As a product user, I need to be encouraged to understand how to use equipment in the best way, so that I am operating it in the correct way.


As a product user, I need a reason to think beyond my business costs, so that I can take energy efficiency into consideration.

Encourage understanding of how to use equipment

To bring energy efficiency up their agenda

“The buck stops at completion. It’s handed over and that’s that. We need some training

to ensure proper application.” —Consultant

“Office running costs are my top priority.”

— Office manager


Product users

Energy managers engaged include those of large, public institutions.

Their focus is on changing policy within their organisation to be more energy aware. Some of their work is taken up persuading commissioners of the benefits of considering energy efficiency when defining briefs for projects.

They may not be directly involved in the purchasing of equipment.

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Energy managers

Rob, Energy manager

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As an energy manager, I need to find information to support my business case for energy efficient decisions so that I can help influence commissioners.


Help to build the business case for energy efficient decisions

“We have to persuade the project sponsor of the benefit to them, and their budget, to

get them interested in making energy efficient decisions.”

Internal energy team


Energy managers

Commissioners are the ones who hold the purse strings. They include people with a quite diverse range of job titles including Director of Finance and Director of Estates, and people on decision making boards.

They are unlikely to be directly involved in the purchasing of equipment, but are the ones who set the brief and ultimately decide what priorities they have the project. They may be better influenced by tools other than the ETL.

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Commissioners(unvalidated)

Sarah, Director of Finance

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As a commissioner, I need to understand the non-technical benefits of energy efficiency, so that I can better understand the impact of my decisions.


As a commissioner, I need compelling reasons to bring energy efficiency into the brief, so that I drive energy efficient decision making.

Show tangible benefits of energy efficient decision making

Help bring more energy efficient decisions into the brief

“The real power comes in when pressure [to make energy efficient decisions] comes down from the building owners.” Consultant

“We have to persuade the project sponsor of the benefit to them, and their budget, to

get them interested in making energy efficient decisions.”

Internal energy team


Commissioners (unvalidated)

Value and influence mapping

In order to better understand the complexity of the relationships, a number of maps have been created on the following slides, including:

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Map type Description

Value mapThis shows the relationships between each of the parties, and traces what value is exchanged between them. Relationships need to have some balance in the value exchanged for it to be a positive connection.

Influence map

Some user segments have greater ability to influence whether energy efficiency will be taken into consideration during the purchasing of equipment. We mapped this to show where the most impact can be had if the right user segments are targeted.

Selling map Which user segments are involved in selling of equipment

Purchasers It has been identified that purchasers are actually made up of a number of different user segments, each with different motivations and drivers

Users of the equipment Showing who is most likely to be direct users of equipment purchased

Manufacturers Contractors

CommissionersSpecifiers

- Staying up-to-date with technology

- Products that help me do my job

- More sales

- Exposure

- Stay up-to-date with technology

- Competitively priced products

- Buy their products

- Hire & pay

- Defining the brief- Deliver building

(to budget)

- Easy to rent spaces

- Property they can use

- Better built buildings

- Money

- Cheaper & more productive

spaces

- Hire & pay

- More environmentally friendly, productive spaces

Key:

- Value exchanged

- Assumptions

- Opportunity

Op

Op

Op

Op

Op

Op

Internal Engineers

Internal Energy Team

- Advice on energy efficiency policy

- Put strategy into action

- Buy their products

- Stay up-to-date with technology

- Best environmentally friendly products

Product users

Facilities managers

Value mapUnboxed / BEIS

Ability to influence energy-efficient decisionsUnboxed / BEIS

Commissioners

ContractorsSpecifiers

Manufacturers

Internal engineers Product users

Energy managers

Commissioners sit directly at the centre of the influence of energy-efficient decisions, given their position of power within the decision-making process.

Specifiers, contractors and product users still have certain influences on purchasing decisions because of how the system works. Specifiers for example make the first decision but contractors are often the ones who make the actual purchase.

Facilities managers

Selling equipmentUnboxed / BEIS

Manufacturers

Manufacturers are the only user group involved in selling equipment.

Direct involvement in purchasingUnboxed / BEIS

Commissioners

Contractors

Specifiers

Internal engineers

Energy managers

Contractors, facilities managers and internal engineers all had direct involvement in making purchases.

Commissioners, specifiers and energy managers may be involved in the decision making process, but are less likely to be the ones making the final purchase themselves.

Product users may have little say in what’s purchased, but are the ones who will be using the equipment after installation.

Facilities managers

Using the equipmentUnboxed / BEIS

Product users

Energy managers

Facilities managers, product users and to a certain extent energy managers all are most likely to be the ones using the equipment.

After handover, contractors and specifiers are less likely to be involved.

Facilities managers

Reviewing the current ETL public website

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The ETL landscape is currently made up of four main components:

Technical findings

Components overview

ETL public website

The ETL public website, allowing for users to search the list of published products:

https://etl.beis.gov.uk/engetl/fox/live/ETL_PUBLIC_PRODUCT_SEARCH

ETL GOV.UK guidance

The ETL guidance sitting on GOV.UK:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/energy-technology-list

ETL partner/admin portal

The back-end portal allowing admin and manufacturers to submit new products for publishing on the ETL public website:

https://etl.beis.gov.uk/engetl/fox/live/ETL_LOGIN/login

ETL Carbon Trust microsite

A separate new microsite by Carbon Trust:

https://www.carbontrust.com/etl/



https://etl.beis.gov.uk/engetl/fox/live/ETL_LOGIN/login


Approved?

Partner submits product answers and documents

Meet criteria?

PublishedRejected

Admin assess submission

Partner amends submission

No

No

Yes

Yes

Almost

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Technical findings

Publication flow

The publication flow for the ETL partner/admin portal:

Review of current ETL user experience

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1

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Current journey

Find Access Learn

2 3 4

Accountant

Tax advisor

Manufacturer

SKA assessment

Contract

Word of mouth

Events

Direct link

Search engine

Internal database

Carbon Trust

GOV.UK

Hear

ETL product page search ETL individual pages

How users currently find out about and use the ETL

HEAR

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FIND LEARN ACCESS

GOV.UK ETL guidance

The content on this page could be reviewed and restructured to be more clear.

When ETL is searched for on GOV.UK, this page is 4th — improvements could be made to make it easier to find.

HEAR

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FIND LEARN ACCESS

ETL guidance

ETL buyers info.

Info. for purchasers

Factsheet: Info. for purchasers

ETL

GOV.UK

There’s a number of different pages on different websites that a user can link to from the gov.uk. Ideally a clearer path for users to take to get to the information they need would help.

HEAR

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FIND LEARN ACCESS

ETL guidance

ETL buyers info.



ETL

Tech. info. leaflets

Guidance notes

Product type: lighting

ETL

GOV.UK

CHP quality assurance programme

The deeper you look for information, the journey becomes quite complex - switching between websites and levels of complexity of content. Choosing one platform for all the content and simplifying the user journey would be beneficial.

ETL guidance

HEAR

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FIND LEARN ACCESS

ETL guidance

ETL buyers info.



ETL

Tech. info. leaflets

Guidance notes

Annex

Product type: lighting

ETL

GOV.UK

Lighting guide

CHP quality assurance programme CHPQA standard

ETL guidance

Products removed from list

ETL guidance

Removed product list

ETL guidance

ETL

ETL


Claim ca allowan

Fac for

ET criteria list

ETL claim values

HEAR

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FIND LEARN ACCESS

Carbon Trust microsite

The carbon trust microsite has clear content and structure, and the images add to the experience.

The layout makes it easier to digest the complex information involved.

HEAR

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FIND LEARN ACCESS

Air-to-air energy recovery

Carbon Trust microsite

The content is well written to improve understanding.

HEAR

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FIND LEARN ACCESS

The search page on the ETL public website could be improved with further information and some content to describe what the ETL is and how it works.

ETL public website: search

HEAR

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FIND LEARN ACCESS

74 technology choices

326 manufacturers

The search function is key to using the ETL website, the number of products and manufacturers would be easier to navigate with a different UX pattern than a drop down menu as there are too many options to scroll through.

Users also suggested they would like to be able to search by unit or product number or by product specifics.

ETL public website: search

HEAR

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FIND LEARN ACCESS

ETL public website: product page

Throughout many of the interviews, many people told us comparing products is essential for them. This could be a useful feature for product pages.

The content also could be reviewed and restructured to ensure it’s suitable for a range of technical and non-technical users.

Ensuring all links are live for a smoother user experience.

Options and recommendations

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Recommendations

Options

Based on the outputs of primary and secondary user research from across this discovery phase, including the listed pros and cons, our recommendation is to redesign the Energy Technology List to meet future user needs.

Further detail on recommendations for how to continue are covered in the following slides.

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Option #3: Re-design the ETL

Recommendations

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Key areas identified in this discovery

Low awareness of the ETLThe current ETL has poor user

experience

Many different people are involved in purchasing decisions with

different motivations

Discovery research outcome

The outcomes of this discovery phase have highlighted three areas core areas:

Recommendations

Area #1: A poor user experience of the current ETL The experience of the ETL public website from current users’ point of view is lacking. Primary user research with existing users highlighted areas including:

● A lack of clarity on the purpose of the list for users — including defined purpose, what to do when using it and how to use it

● Limited key information on individual products —including detailed descriptions, commercial information and individual product links

● Product listings aren’t up-to-date — this includes the latest items or technology within the marketplace

● Information and language mismatch — there’s a mismatch between industry language and information and that of ETL language and information

Unboxed / BEIS“On the Tesco website, it’s really clear what you’re supposed to do - buy stuff. It’s not clear on the ETL

website what to do, we feel a bit embarrassed pointing clients towards it.” — Manufacturer

“There is a mismatch between part number on a product and part number of the ETL.” — Tax consultant

“It doesn’t actually tell you how much an item costs. Often what was paid for units varies as it depends on the

relationship the supplier has with the contractor. I have to estimate what I think was spent.” — Tax advisor

“Every time I looked for a product on the ETL it wasn’t there - the list needs to be kept up-to-date.” — Consultant

“The website is not very attractive, and even I found it a bit overwhelming.” — Specifier

Recommendations

Area #2: Low awareness Whilst some people interviewed had heard of the ETL, many weren’t aware of it. Many of those who knew of it hadn’t used it. Example reasons include:

● There’s a lack of policy to encourage usage —many people spoke about how behaviour needs to be changed in order to improve the performance gap

● Information is not tailored to user needs — those in technical roles already done their own product comparisons, and for those with less technical understanding, the information is too technical

● No clear integration with other standards or policies — we heard people speak about the standard their company works or refers to with passion, but ETL is currently not aligned with any of these

● The ECA is ending - This means there will be even less reason for people to use the ETL in its current format from April 2020

Unboxed / BEIS“Clients could make a difference, after all, they’re paying,

but they often don’t have the knowledge or understanding.” — Manufacturer

“The most successful buildings are the ones where the client knows what they want.” — Manufacturer

“It doesn’t send a great message that we’re taking away the only tax incentive.”

— Tax advisor

“Facilities Management understand the problem of poor indoor air quality and its link to people’s productivity” —

Manufacturer

“We preach the BS EN 15232 standard — it defines minimum requirements for controls and building

automation. If everyone used this we could solve the carbon crisis.” — Manufacturer

Recommendations

Area #3: Many different stakeholders involved in decision makingDuring the kick-off workshop, “manufacturers” and “purchasers” were discussed. Through primary research, it quickly became clear through user interviews that the role of purchaser isn’t so clear-cut, with multiple roles involved in the decision making process:

● Specifiers will choose equipment based on energy-efficiency credentials

● Contractors will often then find cheaper alternatives to help boost their profit margins

● Energy managers write policy about the type of equipment that should be bought

● Commissioners hold the purse strings and give direction as to how they expect their money to be spent

● Facilities managers are most likely to replace equipment with the most recent model from the same brand

Unboxed / BEIS“We sell to consultants - they don’t always really

understand the details and tend to copy paste stuff a lot. We train people on energy efficiency, but if they don’t

speak to each other it doesn’t work.” — Manufacturer

“We need awareness raising amongst people commissioning buildings.” — Tax advisor

“The real power comes in when pressure [to make energy efficient decisions] comes down from the building

owners.” — Consultant

“I tend to choose the most energy efficient equipment. I think on every project I’ve worked on the contractor has

replaced what I specified with cheaper stuff.” — Consultant

“We have to persuade the project sponsor of the benefit to them, and their budget, to get them interested in making

energy efficient decisions.” — Internal energy team

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What’s next?

Low awareness of the ETLThe current ETL has poor user

experience

Many different people are involved in purchasing decisions with

different motivations

Discovery research outcome

Next steps

Meet new user needsImproved ETL user experienceEncourage uptake and refresh

delivery

Further researchAlpha Policy improvement

The three core areas that could be explored further include:

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Alpha

Improved ETL user experience

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Improved ETL user experienceUser experience (UX) / User interface (UI) design recommendations

● Reduce the number of products returned by the search, by allowing the user to enter product specific criteria (i.e. a product number or a cooling capacity range for chillers)

● Improve ability to make decisions by allowing a side-by-side product comparison

● Provide a seamless journey by providing links through to product on the manufacturer's site

● Consider consistency and style of visual design for the ETL and what will provide the most value in terms of creating a great user experience

252 11Packaged chillers

Cooling capacity 800- 850 kW

Product ABC123

Product ABC123

ETL Manufacturer’s website

Results Results

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Content and hierarchy● Taking into account the needs and technical

abilities of the different user groups will help inform both the content and its hierarchy

● Including information helpful to those preparing business cases for energy efficient equipment would be beneficial, as well as identifying what information is needed to help more technical people compare and contrast products

● More technical information should be positioned further down the hierarchy for people to find if they need it

Technical language

What is it?

Why do I need it?

How do I use it?

Lifecycle costs

Energy efficiency comparison

Installation guide

Technical specification

Plain English

Business case

Buying

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A single platform

● The ETL is currently across three unique platforms and URLs (ETL public website, Carbon Trust microsite, GOV.UK ETL guidance)

● This results in a fragmented user experience and online journey

● Recommendations for the future platform include a single platform, under a single URL for a seamless, consistent and user-friendly experience

Single platform




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Policy improvement

Encourage uptake

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Supporting uptake and policy

Building awareness● Once the baseline of an improved user experience for

the ETL has been established, some marketing activity may be required to raise awareness amongst key user groups

● There has already been some success using tools such as newsletters and attending events, these could be rolled out to meet the interests of different user groups to help build awareness

● By maintaining close contact with appropriate user groups it’s possible to be aware of their user needs and predict what may be coming up. As experts in their own fields, users can be a valuable source of information and word of mouth

● There are many bodies that might have interest in the ETL. Build relationships with them to reach their membership. Some examples include:

- Better Buildings Partnership (BPP)- Energy Managers Association- Major Energy Users' Council (MEUC) - BREEAM- Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE)- Sustainable Energy Association

http://www.betterbuildingspartnership.co.uk/

https://www.the-esa.org/

https://www.meuc.co.uk/

https://www.breeam.com/

https://www.apse.org.uk/

https://www.sustainableenergyassociation.com

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Supporting uptake and policy

Connecting to policyTo ensure formal uptake of the ETL from organisations, supporting policy is a key opportunity, including:

● Identifying existing policy — there is potential for the ETL to add value to other policy areas encouraging energy efficient purchasing and decision making. Identifying these and working with teams to ensure the ETL is designed to work in conjunction with other policy areas will increase its range and ability to have impact

● Use relationships to initiate new policy — by establishing relationships with membership bodies and user groups, BEIS would be in a unique position to really understand the needs of those groups, and understand what policies would in the future have greatest impact Organisations

Providing evidence of selecting energy-efficient equipment from a government-backed source

Supporting policy, or a different incentive

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Further research

Meet new user needs

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Further research

Commissioners

● As they are not likely to be technical or directly involved with the purchase of equipment, for the ETL website redesign alpha and beta, further discovery with commissioners may not be needed. In the future if wider user needs are to be considered, we feel it would be valuable to speak to some commissioners to understand their motivators and drivers

● Commissioners have been identified as being key to influencing the energy efficiency of decisions due to being a key role in the financial decisions and forming briefs for work

● The team were unable to reach anyone in a commissioner role as part of this project - it was incredibly hard to identify anyone who does this, so in future research this would need to be a consideration

Director of Finance

Director of Estates

Property developer

Property investor

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Further research

Facilitate networking

● Manufacturers are keen to get their brand and products in front of specifiers and contractors

● Specifiers and contractors are keen to stay up to date with latest technologies and what’s available on the market so they can choose the most appropriate equipment for their projects

● There’s an opportunity to help expand networks and knowledge through events, news and case studies or brand homepages

● This could also be expanded to include facilities management who would like access to manufacturer’s technical support and training

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Further research

Extend range of products

● Many people in the research mentioned the need to include software, BMS and smart meters in the list

● Extending the types of products covered may make information more relevant and useful, especially to less technical people who are more likely to be engaging with these types of products

● Some interviewees also suggested the list could be broader than just products to include approved suppliers, installers and specifiers

● This could also work with policy to help encourage new behaviours around energy usage and purchasing decisions

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Overview

Meet new user needsImproved ETL user experience Encourage uptake and refresh delivery

Alpha Policy improvement Further research

● Refreshing the design○ Improve search functionality○ Enable product comparisons○ Improve flow of user journey○ Consider consistency and style of

visual design

● Overhaul of content and hierarchy○ Include content for business cases○ Create content to appeal to a range

of technical levels○ Create a content hierarchy

● Move to a single platform○ Create a consistent user journey by

moving content to one platform

● An exploration into creating an API of data included in the ETL

● Building awareness○ Undertake marketing activities○ Create news and events○ Work closely with relevant user

groups○ Establish partnerships and

connections with relevant bodies

● Connect to policy○ Identify existing policies the ETL

could support or work in partnership with

○ Use relationships with user groups and bodies to initiate new policies

● Meeting some user needs will be improved by undertaking the first two areas of work, but further user needs and a wider range of user segments may be met through further research into other areas including:

○ Research into commissioners’ motivations and drivers

○ Research into facilitating networking between user groups

○ Research into widening the types of products (and services) listed on the ETL

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Graeme McCubbin

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Unboxed / BEIS

energy technology list: discovery phase report · we undertook a five-week discovery project to...

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